Cook: Ratatouille

Here’s how my brain works in almost all things: I dream up a bunch of seemingly disjointed, random things that I want all at the same time. That’s step one. Then I try to find a way in which these things can all coexist. Step two, which takes considerably longer than step one and usually involves random Internet searches like “bar cart, vintage, Mad Men, pink, Brimfield MA, vodka.” It’s an interesting process. When I find something that satisfies all of the things I want, all that’s left is naming and/or synthesizing whatever it is into some coherent thing. Sometimes it’s a painting, sometimes it’s a Pinterest home decor hybrid, and sometimes, like this time, it’s a recipe.

That’s why this should be called “Ratatouille, Kind Of.” I wanted vegetables and I wanted them baked. I searched “vegetable bake” and Ratatouille kept coming up. I immediately thought of that beautiful (animated) ratatouille dish from the movie Ratatouille, which reminded me of Deb’s version of the animated dish over on Smitten Kitchen. Except that my brain works backwards and I had already bought groceries for this “eggplant squash onion tomato baked” concoction I wanted.

So, anyway, I’m calling this Ratatouille, even though it might not be. You can call it “vegetable bake” if it pleases you, however I’m going to call it Ratatouille because I like to say it. Ratatouille!

Serve with your carbohydrate of choice if you are making a meal out of it, or simply as is for a delicious and flavorful side!

Me, I ate mine as is, with a hunk of crusty, warm, garlic bread.

It was both comforting and fresh tasting, and although you probably don’t want to turn your oven on right now, this really is a great summer dish.